Tornadoes touch down in Marion, Plainview

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota's Board of Higher Education has voted to retire the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname by the end of the year, a move that assumes lawmakers will repeal a law requiring the school to keep the nickname.

Monday's decision follows last week's meeting with NCAA President Mark Emmert. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple and legislative leaders weren't able to persuade Emmert to let UND keep the nickname without any penalty.

A state law says UND has to keep the nickname. The Legislature is expected to repeal the law during a special session this November.

The higher education board voted unanimously Monday to retire the nickname by Dec. 31. UND had wanted to retire the nickname before Monday, but the approval of the state law blocked those plans.

Gallery

Education News

The University of North Dakota will retire the Fighting Sioux nickname by the end of the year.

Fighting Sioux nickname to be gone by year's end

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox